Joined the e-bike revolution

[blowtorch]

The street scenes were filmed in Chicago.

that's what i said, so yes, that's Chicago

 

[imwjl]

Remind those idiots that they could have just lost 2 stone of blubber for free rather than paying $5000 extra for a bike that’s 1 stone lighter.

There are three kinds of cyclists. Racers, casuals, and wannabe racers who don’t have the physique or self discipline to ever be competitive, but insist on the best gear so they can obsessively shop and look down their nose at the owners of lesser gear.

Be a casual.

There's a sizable 4th type if that's your measuring system. We sort of consider it casual but it's not really or always. Those of us who are a bit obsessive doing adventurous stuff. It's not really casual to ride (bikes, snow) as we do. It's not often or rarely racing. It's hardly wannabe if you look at our pace of wearing stuff out or breaking it.

Comment influenced by the time of year - will I do B.A.L.L.S. ride again. Early spring 160 mi loop all off road and happens regardless of the weather forecast.

For the rest I try to be sensitive. It's legitimate to be concerned and critical about poor lifestyle choices but weight and other matters are complex. I got skinny but was a teased chubby kid. I've worked with people in outdoor sports where it was very key for addressing mental health and PSTD.

The e-assist bikes are not going away.

 

[Dan German]

A lot of e-bikes have small wheels. Better torque.

Very true. E-bikes regardless of wheel size should be kept off sidewalks. And 20” is also too large for sidewalks, given the number of (usually shirtless) fully grown doofuses (doofii?) I see tearing around on BMX bikes like idiots.

 

[middy]

There's a sizable 4th type if that's your measuring system. We sort of consider it casual but it's not really or always. Those of us who are a bit obsessive doing adventurous stuff. It's not really casual to ride (bikes, snow) as we do. It's not often or rarely racing. It's hardly wannabe if you look at our pace of wearing stuff out or breaking it.

Comment influenced by the time of year - will I do B.A.L.L.S. ride again. Early spring 160 mi loop all off road and happens regardless of the weather forecast.

For the rest I try to be sensitive. It's legitimate to be concerned and critical about poor lifestyle choices but weight and other matters are complex. I got skinny but was a teased chubby kid. I've worked with people in outdoor sports where it was very key for addressing mental health and PSTD.

The e-assist bikes are not going away.

OK. I suppose you could do it on a unicycle too and make it even harder for some reason. I don’t know the reasons why non casuals ride bicycles. It’s a mystery to me. I just like cruising through the neighborhood on a nice day with my 2 year old in the seat behind me and groceries in the front basket. I used to like BMX but I’m too old for that. Jumps are fun!

I’m not talking about making fun of fat riders, just the ones who make fun of your e-bike.

 

[middy]

Very true. E-bikes regardless of wheel size should be kept off sidewalks. And 20” is also too large for sidewalks, given the number of (usually shirtless) fully grown doofuses (doofii?) I see tearing around on BMX bikes like idiots.

I tend to agree, but in many suburban areas the sidewalks are more of a formality. Pedestrians are rare and drivers are inattentive. Feel free to use those sidewalks if there’s no bike lane and no ordinance. Keep it 10 mph unless it’s open fields. If you see any pedestrians in the next couple blocks, or if there are storefronts or doorways or blind corners, get off the sidewalks.

 

[Dan German]

I tend to agree, but in many suburban areas the sidewalks are more of a formality. Pedestrians are rare and drivers are inattentive. Feel free to use those sidewalks if there’s no bike lane and no ordinance. Keep it 10 mph unless it’s open fields. If you see any pedestrians in the next couple blocks, or if there are storefronts or doorways or blind corners, get off the sidewalks.

Yes, all people need to do is use common sense.

HAHAHAHAHA I crack me up… (I actually do agree with you, but have no faith in human judgement.)

 

[imwjl]

OK. I suppose you could do it on a unicycle too and make it even harder for some reason. I don’t know the reasons why non casuals ride bicycles. It’s a mystery to me. I just like cruising through the neighborhood on a nice day with my 2 year old in the seat behind me and groceries in the front basket. I used to like BMX but I’m too old for that. Jumps are fun!

I’m not talking about making fun of fat riders, just the ones who make fun of your e-bike.

Where we live might have a big influence. Some neighborhoods and municipalities or counties are far more friendly for walking and pedaling. All the sprawl in the US is a negative impact stroads are horrible.

On a trip in December I needed to go to the pharmacy I saw a block from my hotel. The bass ackwards redneck area didn't have a way make the simple walk there without forcing me to walk in the business/urban US highway stroad. I covered as much distance walking to and from car in two parking lots plus had to start the car to go a long block.

 

[getbent]

No, it is not Chicago. The overpass scene was filmed in Milwaukee. The street scenes were filmed in Chicago. You live in Wisconsin, and you didn't know that?

When The Blues Brothers Crashed Milwaukee

the torch is committed. your efforts are without fruit.

 

[middy]

Where we live might have a big influence. Some neighborhoods and municipalities or counties are far more friendly for walking and pedaling. All the sprawl in the US is a negative impact stroads are horrible.

On a trip in December I needed to go to the pharmacy I saw a block from my hotel. The bass ackwards redneck area didn't have a way make the simple walk there without forcing me to walk in the business/urban US highway stroad. I covered as much distance walking to and from car in two parking lots plus had to start the car to go a long block.

I loathe places like that. Feel like I’m bearing a ring through Mordor.

 

[chris m.]

E-bikes are selling better than regular bikes. If it results in less car trips and broader support and advocacy for bike-friendly communities it’s all very positive IMO.

Even without changing the roads, if a super majority of motorists ride bikes regularly, they hopefully will be more understanding and patient with cyclists when they are in their cars. If drivers just paid attention and were courteous to cyclists and pedestrians very little modification would be required to achieve safety. I know, I know, when hell freezes over, etc.

 

[dkmw]

Cities, counties, and the state government here acknowledge that many, if not most streets around here are not safe for biking. The reality is that in many areas around the country, a lot of the streets and highways will never be safe. You can't add bike lanes to every street, and even if you do, the bike lanes are still far too risky for riders. In most urban and suburban areas around here, governments have invested hundreds of millions of dollars on bike trails that get plenty of use, but the trails can't possibly go everywhere. You can't count on having a bike lane or a trail for commuting, or for your trip to the grocery store.

So what is the obvious solution? Use the sidewalks! Sidewalks in most areas are underused by pedestrians, and there is no reason why they can't be safely used by bikes. Of course, this isn't true in densely populated urban areas, but in many cities it is. Florida law permits bike riding on sidewalks, but some communities have laws prohibiting it. I have never heard of a law that limits sidewalk riding to bikes with 20 inch wheels or smaller, but I can imagine that they exist in some places. In my opinion, some of those local laws should be eliminated. Bicyclists on sidewalks should follow common sense rules when approaching pedestrians, of course.

I live in a master planned community that has a beautiful bike trail running along an abandoned railroad right of way, right through the center of the community. We have several two lane roads with a single bike lane, 45 mph speed limit, and a curb along the right side of the bike lane that prevents a cyclist from having an escape route when a car is bearing down on them. We also have six memorial markers within two miles of my house for bicyclists who were killed by cars. I ride on the sidewalk, and occasionally I am cursed out by a headphone-wearing pedestrian who didn't hear my bell and my "Passing on your left" yell as I approach from behind. That's their problem, not mine. It's legal and safe for me to ride on the sidewalk, and I will continue to do it.

By the way, in the morning I ride three miles on the sidewalk next to US Highway 41 and about 50 feet away from a totally unused bike lane. In five years I have never seen a bicyclist using that bike lane, and I have only run across pedestrians on that sidewalk three or four times at most.

I have lots of friends who bike or e bike around here, but they’re braver than me. Floriduh is a very dangerous place for all things with only two wheels. I walk.

But congrats to the op, ride in good health!

 

[Alamo]

Hey today it's the last Friday for this month ....which means it's CM (Critical Mass) ride tonight.

Critical Mass (cycling) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

for cyclists, electric or not, around the world.

Critical Mass events highlight the numbers of people who want to use their bike on the streets, but are usually unable to do so without risking their safety. They are a call to action to councils, governments and road planners to properly and thoughtfully design in the safety of all road users, including those who would prefer to walk and cycle, instead of prioritising motor traffic above all else.

 

[Barbeque John]

I put 1400 miles on my ebike in the last year, and I have observed that I prefer street to sidewalk. There are areas where riding on sidewalks is neccesary , due to traffic, no bike lane, etc, but one must show due caution around pedestrians, hey, smile at them, engage them, a little courtesy helps. It's been my experience on multi use trails, ebikers, are more polite than the hard core spandex folks. I walk multiuse trails a lot too, I've had many hard core folks zooming by, with no warning.

 

[ce24]

Locally there are reports of those things esploding in dorm rooms

Im good then i dont live in a dorm! sorry torch could’nt help that one…it just kept dangling there and nobody picked it.

 

[blowtorch]

Im good then i dont live in a dorm! sorry torch could’nt help that one…it just kept dangling there and nobody picked it.

Yeah, as long as you stay out of the dorms you should be all good there

 

[Mike Eskimo]

Nice !

Congrats !

Take it slow at first, wear a helmet that costs at least $120, and have fun !

 

[catseye360]

Ariel Rider - 1,000 w motor, 52v battery, top speed 35mph with 190lb me on a flat surface. Hydraulic discs, front and rear adjustable suspension assist and throttle up to 70mile range https://arielrider.com/products/x-c...jkLuScuuTtdp1yL8CAxkyEWuUSFUkFEoaAmzKEALw_wcB